AFL 2024: Carlton defeats Port Adelaide 107-71

The Blues have cemented their place in the AFL’s top eight, claiming a rare win in Adelaide over the Power.

ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA - MAY 30: Alex Cincotta of the Blues celebrates a goal with Elijah Hollands during the 2024 AFL Round 12 match between the Port Adelaide Power and the Carlton Blues at Adelaide Oval on May 30, 2024 in Adelaide, Australia. (Photo by Sarah Reed/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

A final-term flurry inspired by Carlton dynamic duo Sam Walsh and Patrick Cripps propelled the surging Blues to a commanding win over Port Adelaide on Thursday night.

Michael Voss’ men led by seven points at three-quarter time and accelerated away with a stunning eight-goal blitz to improve to an 8-4 record.

Walsh was impressive all night and Cripps took his game to another level in the last quarter.

The skipper bounced to his feet and kicked a goal 20 seconds into the final term then followed it up with another classy finish a minute later to open up a 19-point lead.

A howler turnover allowed Blake Acres in to kick a goal that took the margin to 23 points with just over eight minutes remaining and the gap was too great for Port to overcome.

The Power kept coming but the queries over its top-four credentials remain after failing to account for another high-quality opponent.

The Blues kicked away in the final term. (Photo by Sarah Reed/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

With Connor Rozee sidelined with an ankle injury and Zak Butters battling a hard tag from Alex Cincotta, Jason Horne-Francis and Ollie Wines were important, while Mitch Georgiades kicked an equal career-high four goals.

The result means the Blues have finally beaten a South Australian team at Adelaide Oval on their eighth attempt, although they did break their duck at the ground with a controversial last-gasp win over Fremantle in Gather Round.

BAAAALLLL!

All eyes were on the umpires after the AFL issued a clarification on the interpretation of the holding the ball rule during the week, with players given less time to dispose of the ball while being tackled.

The first pleading couple of calls of “Baaaallll” that echoed around the stadium went unwhistled, but the third was rewarded, much to the relief of the baying Power fans as the Blues stormed inside 50 in the first quarter.

Charlie Curnow had one arm pinned by Aliir Aliir and the whistle came before the star forward could get a kick off as he famously did against Gold Coast the week before.

The whistle came quickly at the end soon after with Port again the beneficiary, Ivan Soldo converting a free kick from a strong tackle on Jacob Weitering.

The AFL’s new era in tackling began. (Photo by Sarah Reed/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

SOLDO IN STRIFE?

Soldo was prominent early in his first game back after five weeks out with a knee injury, but he faces a nervous wait to see how the Match Review Officer assesses his clash with former Crow Mitch McGovern in the first quarter.

Both players were attempting to pick up a ground ball, but the burly ruckman’s ample right shoulder made solid contact with McGovern’s head, the impact sending the defender spinning to the turf.

“No doubt that will be looked at … any time you make contact with the head,” former Blue Dale Thomas said on Channel Seven.

“No doubt he was playing the ball but that doesn’t seem to be of too much consideration (for the Match Review Officer).”

BURTO’S TIMELY TOE

Ryan Burton celebrated his 150th AFL game and the long-kicking defender saved what looked a certain goal early in the second half.

The ball squirted out from a stoppage to Harry McKay all alone in the goal square, but a fumble allowed a desperate Burton to toe the ball over the line for a rushed behind.

It was one of several frustrations for the surging visitors, who had the first seven inside 50s of the second half, but produced a wasteful two behinds.

Port had been inaccurate in the first half, but Carlton spurned several opportunities to open a gap in the third term.

Charlie Curnow missed a routine set shot then slotted arguably the hardest from the boundary deep in the pocket to help his side to a seven-point lead at the last break.

SCOREBOARD

POWER 3.2 4.8 7.9 10.11 (71)

BLUES 3.2 5.5 8.10 16.11 (107)

PHELAN’S BEST POWER: Horne-Francis, Wines, Georgiades, Soldo, Houston, Butters, Aliir. BLUES: Walsh, Cripps, Newman, Cincotta, De Koning, Curnow, Weitering.

GOALS POWER: Georgiades 4, Soldo, McEntee, Marshall, Burgoyne, Finlayson, Horne-Francis. BLUES: Curnow 3, Williams 3, McKay 3, Cripps 2, McGovern, Kemp, De Koning, Cincotta, Acres.

INJURIES POWER: Nil. BLUES: Nil.

UMPIRES: Foot, Stevic, Broadbent, Fleer

40,532 at ADELAIDE OVAL

PLAYER OF THE YEAR

JASON PHELAN’S VOTES

3 Walsh (Car)

2 Horne-Francis (Port)

1 Cripps (Car)